Archives for August 2025

Almost there—happy Thursday! Whether you’re deep in work or counting down to Friday, here’s a little reminder to take a breath and keep doing your best.

In This Issue: Burger Buses to School Buses | Deal of the Day | Stereo Plug | Crimp Tools | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Burger Buses to School Buses

Hi everyone!

This Saturday I took a little daytrip to Ball Ground, GA, to have lunch with my grandma at the Ball Ground Burger Bus. It’s a quirky little spot where you sit inside a converted bus, which is what makes it so unique. The line was a little long, and after getting my food, I could tell why! We couldn’t stay long since there were still so many people waiting for a seat, but if you ever stop by, I recommend the ‘Fried Green Jacket’!

Sunday, on the other hand, was right back into college life. I affectionately call it my Study Sundays, and it is one of my top favorite routines. It involves getting to the student center right when it opens, grabbing a study room, bringing our lunches, and studying for about 6-8 hours. Once our brains can’t handle it any longer, we stop for groceries before heading home, and it really starts the week off right! It’s something so ordinary, but it’s comforting to have a steady routine amid everything else going on!

Do you have a simple weekend habit that you always look forward to? I’d love to hear!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cat5E Junction Box with 110/Knone punch down type is designed for reliable and secure Ethernet cable splicing without the need for couplers or connectors. Perfect for permanent installations, this box allows direct cable-to-cable connection, ensuring minimal signal loss and superior continuity. Compatible with both 110 and Krone punch down tools, the box supports wire gauges from 23 to 26 AWG and features a 568A/568B color-coded label for easy identification.

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Learning Center Article – Crimp Tools: Your Guide to Easier Networking and Cable Repairs

Networking and cable repairs can be frustrating without the right tools. A crimp tool simplifies the process, securely attaching connectors to cables for reliable connections. Whether you’re setting up Ethernet, fixing a TV signal, or working on electrical wiring, a crimp tool makes everything faster and easier. This guide covers the basics of crimp tools, their types, and effective usage. With the right tool, your cable projects will be smooth and hassle-free.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Despite tariff pressures, shoppers continue to flock to Walmart for value. Groceries and essentials—now over half of its sales—remain key to attracting budget-conscious customers. 
• Self-driving startup Nuro closed a late-stage funding round at a $6B valuation, securing $203M from new investors Uber and Nvidia, plus returning backers.
• Launched alongside the Pixel 10, Google’s new Pixel Journal app uses on-device AI to suggest prompts based on memories, goals, or past entries. Users can also add photos, locations, activities, and mood tracking to their journals.
• Mars is rolling out three festive M&M’s Halloween Blends: Milk Chocolate, Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate, and Peanut Milk Chocolate. Each bag comes in spooky designs with orange-and-black candies, joining this year’s lineup of seasonal treats.

Midweek check-in—how’s your week going? It’s National Radio Day—a chance to celebrate the news, music, and chatter that keeps us company. Got a favorite station or song that lifts your mood?

In This Issue: Shaping Your Day, Shaping Your Week | Deal of the Day | RCA Female to Female Coupler | How Temperature Affects Ethernet | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Shaping Your Day, Shaping Your Week

Happy Wednesday!

I hope your week is off to a great start. Yesterday I came across a quote that really stuck with me:

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn

Such a simple reminder, but a powerful one. It’s easy to let the busyness of life take control…emails, meetings, unexpected interruptions. But at the end of the day, we still get to decide how we respond, where we focus our energy, and what we prioritize.

Taking a few minutes each morning to set intentions can completely change the tone of the day. Even small actions, writing down your top three priorities, carving out time for a walk, or choosing to approach challenges with optimism, can shift the outcome.

So here’s my midweek encouragement: don’t just let the day happen to you. Step into it with purpose. You’ve got more influence over how today goes than you might think.

How are you choosing to “run the day” this week?

Ashley

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This RCA Female to Female Coupler is a compact and efficient solution for extending RCA cables in your audio and video systems. Built with a durable black plastic housing and corrosion-resistant nickel-plated connectors, this coupler ensures consistent signal transfer with minimal loss.

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Learning Center Article – How Temperature Affects Ethernet

If you’re using Ethernet, there’s a lot to gain, but there are still some issues you need to know about, and one of them is temperatures. So, what actually happens when Ethernet cables get really hot or cold? The answer actually depends on whether the problem is heat or cold. In either case, temperature extremes are bad for Ethernet, so let’s look at exactly how that unfolds.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Airport security just got a major upgrade with TSA’s touchless ID technology now live. PreCheck members can now breeze through dedicated lanes using only facial recognition verification.  
• Alaska Airlines will equip its entire fleet with Starlink inflight Wi-Fi, starting in 2026 and completing by 2027. Atmos Rewards members will get free, high-speed internet fast enough for streaming.
• Google Docs now lets you generate AI audio versions of your documents, with options to choose different voices and playback speeds through Gemini.
• Dunkin’ is launching its autumn lineup with a new Cereal N’ Milk Latte plus returning pumpkin favorites: Pumpkin Spiced Signature Latte, donuts, Munchkins, and muffins.

Happy Tuesday & National Potato Day! Mashed, baked, fried, or roasted—there’s no wrong way to enjoy a good spud. So, how do you like your taters?

In This Issue: Bittersweet Memories & Sweet Company | Deal of the Day | Stereo Plug | Patch Cables vs. Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Bittersweet Memories & Sweet Company

Good morning & Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start!

I had a really lowkey weekend, which honestly was just what I needed. Life moves so quickly that sometimes it’s nice to slow down and enjoy a couple of quiet days. On Saturday, Josh and I went back to the town where I grew up to do a little shopping, and I gave him the full hometown tour. We drove past my old houses and my grandparents’ place—it was sweet but also a little bittersweet to see how much things have changed over the years.

On Sunday, we headed into Decatur for lunch with friends, which was a lot of fun. I have Celiac Disease, so finding great gluten free options can be a challenge. Thankfully, there’s a restaurant we love in Decatur where almost the entire menu can be made gluten free! Even with so many choices, I somehow always end up ordering the same thing—hard to branch out once you’ve found your favorite, I guess! It was a great afternoon of good food and even better company.

Here’s to carrying that sense of rest and connection into the week ahead!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This RCA Male to Male Coupler is a reliable and compact solution for extending RCA connections in your audio and video systems. Designed with a black plastic housing and durable nickel-plated connectors, it ensures stable signal transfer with added corrosion resistance.

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Learning Center Article – Patch Cables vs. Ethernet Cables

Even as networking gets faster and more complicated, Ethernet remains a common, reliable, effective way to enable digital communication. It’s a staple for a reason, and it’s not going away anytime soon. If you’re trying to work out aspects of your own Ethernet network, you might run into a few terms. For instance, you might see cables listed as “patch cables.” What does that mean? Does it matter? How do you use such cables?

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Starting Aug. 20, 2025, the Amazon Appstore will no longer be accessible on Android devices. Amazon is also discontinuing its Coins program—purchases ended Feb. 20, with the program closing alongside the store.
• Starlink went down Monday night, leaving thousands without service worldwide. The outage follows a major blackout just two weeks ago, previously blamed on a core network software failure. No update has been shared yet on the latest disruption.
• T-Mobile’s new Experience Plans promise 20% savings over competitors with five-year price guarantees. Families can earn up to $3,200 in switching credits plus premium streaming bundles.
• Coffee mate officially confirmed the arrival of a brand-new flavor: Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam Creamer. It joins the brand’s existing cold foam lineup of French Vanilla, Italian Sweet Crème, and Nestlé Toll House Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? We’re diving into a new week—one task at a time. Let’s make it a productive one!

In This Issue: A Pokémon-Filled Weekend | Deal of the Day | RCA Dual Female to Female Coupler | Cat5 vs. Cat6 Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Pokémon-Filled Weekend

Happy Monday!

It was definitely a busy weekend for us! On Friday the World Pokémon Championships kicked off, and my friends and I had a little digital watch party on Discord. To make it even more fun, I ran a contest to see who could accurately predict which decks would be played and which archetype would take the win. It added a whole new level of excitement to the weekend!

Saturday morning our local game store held a World Championship celebration tournament, and my wife and daughter decided to join in just for fun. They did great, and somehow all three of us ended up in the top 8! It was a casual event, but still a blast—and we each walked away with a nice promo Pikachu card, which was a cool bonus. Later that day we celebrated my oldest daughter’s birthday a little early at my parents’ house.

The rest of the weekend was pretty much all about Pokémon. I caught as many matches as I could and on Sunday we watched the final rounds together. There were also some exciting updates about the upcoming 2026 Pokémon season, which looks like it’s going to be another amazing year for the TCG.

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This RCA Dual Female to Female Inline Coupler is designed to connect and extend two RCA stereo cables with ease. Featuring two pairs of RCA female ports, it’s ideal for left and right audio channel connections. Built with a black plastic housing and nickel-plated connectors, it ensures stable signal transmission and corrosion resistance.

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Learning Center Article – Cat5 vs. Cat6 Ethernet Cables: What’s the Difference?

Ethernet cables are the backbone of both home and business networks. As technology evolves, so do the standards for these cables, leading to faster speeds, better performance, and improved data handling. In this article, we’ll compare Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a Ethernet cables to help you make an informed decision.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Cambridge Dictionary adds ‘skibidi’ and ‘tradwife’ among 6,000 new words.
• Hurricane Erin intensified on Monday, Aug. 18, and is expected to strengthen further as it threatens the Bahamas and Hispaniola with possible flooding and is forecast to unleash “life-threatening” surf conditions across the eastern U.S. coast this week.
• SpaceX prepares itself for a tenth Starship flight test.
• Krispy Kreme is rolling out a “Harry Potter: Back to Hogwarts” collection featuring house-inspired doughnuts with unique flavors and crests, plus magical drinks like the Golden Snitch Latte—a sweet spell for fans of the Wizarding World.

We made it to Friday—and it’s National Relaxation Day! 🧘‍♀️ Whether you unwind with a book, a walk, or your favorite show, today’s a good reminder to hit pause and recharge. How do you like to relax after a long week?

In This Issue: To Those Still Showing Up | Deal of the Day | Stereo Jack Adapter | Advantages of OM5 Fiber | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – To Those Still Showing Up

Friday’s here! How’s everyone doing so far?

This week hasn’t been the easiest for me—there’s been a lot going on that needed my immediate attention. While scrolling through Facebook, I came across the term functional depression. It describes a state where someone feels emotionally low but still manages to keep up with daily responsibilities like work and social life. On the outside, they seem “fine” or “coping,” but inside, they may be dealing with deep emotional exhaustion. Honestly, that resonated with me a lot lately.

If that’s you right now, I just want to say—you’re not alone. It takes a lot of quiet strength to keep showing up every day, and that’s something worth recognizing. So here’s a virtual hug from me to you.

As we head into the weekend, I hope you find moments—big or small—that bring you rest, comfort, and maybe even a smile. You deserve it. 💛

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Easily convert a 1/4″ stereo plug to a 3-pin XLR male connection with this high-quality adapter. Featuring a durable nickel-plated metal shell and precision-engineered connectors, it ensures stable and noise-free audio signal transfer. Perfect for audio professionals, musicians, and sound engineers who need a quick and reliable interface between different audio gear.

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Learning Center Article – What are the Advantages of OM5 Fiber?

As these systems grow, infrastructure will continue to be put under greater strain in order to keep up with the trend. The only way forward is for data centers and high-end data applications to continue to deploy the most advanced communication techniques available. Right now, that requires the use of fiber optics, and for indoor applications, OM5 fiber is often the best of the best.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Accenture is buying Australian cybersecurity firm CyberCX in a deal valued at over A$1 billion ($650M)—its largest-ever in the sector. The move comes amid a surge in major cyberattacks in Australia, including breaches at Optus and Medibank affecting millions.
• Google is testing automatic device enrollment in its Find My Device network via the latest Google Play Services beta, aiming to boost participation and make item tracking more reliable.
• SoftBank’s PayPay Corp has applied to list American depositary shares in the U.S., though the timing, size, and price are yet to be set. PayPay will remain a SoftBank subsidiary after the listing.
• Starting Aug. 29, Dairy Queen’s Fall Treat Collection rolls out nationwide, featuring the returning Pumpkin Pie Blizzard plus newcomers Caramel Coffee Cookie Blizzard and Maple Cookie Shake.

Happy Thursday! On a hot summer day, a creamsicle hits the sweet spot. Happy National Creamsicle Day! What’s your go-to frozen treat?

In This Issue: Chimps, Tubing, & Back to School! | Deal of the Day | Speak-On Male Connector | OM5 Fiber | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Chimps, Tubing, & Back to School!

Happy Thursday!

Last week, I snuck away for a few days in the mountains with some friends and we stumbled on a hidden gem, the Project Chimps Hiking Trail. Imagine your typical hike, but on top of the birds chirping you hear hoots of chimpanzees! The trail is part of a chimp sanctuary in the North Georgia Mountains, and they have four hiking loops that range for easy to difficult. If you’re lucky, you can even spot chimps from the overlook!

Sadly, we were trying to beat the rain so we took the shorter trail, but I definitely want to go back and bring binoculars to see the chimps! Although our hike was short, we still managed to soak up plenty of sunshine while tubing down the river. In the evenings, we kept it simple with grilled hotdogs and playing board games like “Break the Ice”. It was a nice last getaway before the semester started.

Now that I’m officially back, today is only my second day of classes for my 3rd year of college! Even though I’m already missing mountain views and sunshine, it’s time to switch gears and put in the work. Here’s to making the most of summer memories while getting it done!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This Speak-ON Male Connector is a professional-grade audio connector designed for secure, high-current speaker connections. Compatible with 12 to 16 AWG speaker wire, it features a reliable twist-lock design that ensures a tight and secure fit for stage and studio use.

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Learning Center Article – What is OM5 Fiber and How is It Different Than OM4 & OM3?

There are more tools than ever to help you optimize every corner of your network. At the same time, increasing options make it more difficult to find satisfaction with the choices you make. That holds true with selecting your fiber cables. So far, the options between singlemode and multimode networks were self-selecting. As for multimode systems, the somewhat narrow range of variety made that selection a little easier as well. Now, OM5 is on the rise, and it brings with it a new niche combination of performance and cost-effectiveness.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Google is rolling out its Interactive Canvas feature to the Gemini mobile app, enabling users to create webpages from documents, generate quizzes, write code, and more—capabilities previously limited to the web version.
• Starlink is cutting the cost of its standard kit to $175 (down from $349) and offering its lowest monthly rates ever. This nationwide deal is available to new customers, though Starlink hasn’t said how long it will last.
• Kodak’s Q2 earnings reveal significant financial challenges, even as Gen Z fuels a resurgence in film camera popularity. The company says it plans to repay its debts.
• Taco Bell’s new Mountain Dew Baja Midnight—a purple passion fruit and tropical lime blend—launched nationwide Aug. 14 and is a permanent menu addition.